The series — from Vampire Diaries EP Kevin Williamson — centers on a cat-and-mouse game between serial killer Joe Carroll (James Purefoy) and retired FBI profiler Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon). Through the wonders — or evils, depending on how you look at it — of technology, Carroll creates a cult of murderers, one of whom is glimpsed doing something pretty horrific in the following video. And that’s just a small taste of the pilot episode’s scares and thrills.

The Following debuts on Monday, Jan. 21 at 9/8c.

Press PLAY to watch the preview, and then hit the commentswith your thoughts.